It was going to be an exotic trip. The brochure promised a passage through the wondrous Panama Canal on a catamaran, “Meet the natives, see the real Panama.”
My husband, Bruce, remarked, “This trip is inexpensive. It may not be very good!”
I retorted, “I don’t want to go on a luxury ocean liner. I want to get a feel for the people and the country; let’s go.”
To say the catamaran was small was an understatement. There were eighteen passengers and nine tiny cabins.
My husband rubbed it in, “How are we going to stay in this cabin? We’ll knock each other over trying to change clothes. I’ll meet you upstairs for a drink. I need one.”
I hope he has two! I found him talking to others in a beautiful lounge surrounded by windows.
The captain announced that we were to enter the canal behind the next ship which turned out to be a humongous car carrier. We felt dwarfed by a mountain of steel. We enjoyed looking at the sides and could see the locks as the car carrier went through. We all ate informally together and talked about the amazing canal.
My husband admitted, “This is really interesting, and except for the tiny cabin, the boat is spacious, and I like the staff and other travelers.”
I replied, “There’s nothing like a small ship for getting to know people, including the captain who tells us all about the canal.”
After we left the catamaran, an even more unusual part of our journey began. Our guide took us by bus to a remote river. There were two dugout canoes attended by men dressed in native clothing. We were instructed to put on life vests and step carefully into the canoes. One man almost tipped the canoe over as he fell into the shallow water.
My husband whispered, “Now look what we have gotten into.”
“Don’t worry,” I replied, “this is a true adventure, just feel the water and smell the fresh air. I’m thrilled to be paddling a dugout canoe in the wilderness.”
Our guide explained that we were paddling to an island where the natives still lived as they had for centuries in huts on stilts with no running water or electricity. We were greeted warmly and led to a large open hut with a dirt floor and thatched roof. The natives fed us freshly caught fish which they cooked over an open fire and served on leaves.
I observed, “It may not be the Ritz, but it sure is different and delicious.”
Bruce nodded approval.
We paddled back under bright moonlight.
We both agreed that the two small boats changed our views on traveling. We had close up encounters with people and nature in Panama. We felt part of another culture, made lasting friendships on the catamaran, and had an adventure.
Bruce shared, “Honey, try to find more trips like this.”
“Right,” I smiled.
INSTANT NOODLES 